Why Haitians

Of all the countries in the world why Haiti? Of all the peoples in the world why Haitians? These questions are logical ones if you have ever visited Haiti. There are church buildings everywhere and everyone claims some brand of Christianity. On the surface it would seem that Haiti has been reached with the gospel. But if you scratch beneath that surface one will find a country with many moral and social issues that only the gospel can address; poverty, corruption, infidelity, and hopelessness. The church stands at the center of these issues, offering an alternative existence of hope and transformation.

But many churches have moved away from being gospel centered communities where people find joy, forgiveness, and encouragement. In many places faith in Christ’s substitutionary atonement has been traded in for “superstion-ary acceptance” of Jesus. Everyone, everywhere in Haiti knows about Jesus, but not many know him through the gospel. In many places, one will scarcely find a believer who can explain why Jesus came to die, or how one would have a right relationship with God. Legalism and works salvation has gripped Haiti and her people and the prosperity gospel is gaining acceptance.

Haiti is the poorest country in the world according to some estimations. But what’s worse is the poverty that many experience in terms of relationship to God, others, and Creation. We believe that Christ, his Church, and it’s Gospel can transform this nation and people for God’s eternal glory. If God brings beauty from ashes, what glorious beauty shall we expect in the redemption of the Haitian people.